Chapter 111: Su Youwei's Predestined Affinity

In the courtyard, Zhou Yuan watched the old man in grey robes cautiously. The old man appeared to have no Origin Qi fluctuations, but Zhou Yuan knew this was due to his perfect concealment of it.

The old man in grey robes was clearly unfathomable; his strength might even surpass the Primeval realm.

"Senior..." Zhou Yuan clasped his hands respectfully. He glanced at Su Youwei and asked, "May I ask, Senior, why you are looking for Youwei? Is there something you need?"

The old man in grey robes smiled faintly. "I wish to take her with me. A place like this will only needlessly waste her talent. She shouldn't spend her time here."

Zhou Yuan was startled, then a mix of complex emotions welled up within him. He looked at Su Youwei, the grimy little girl he had once pulled up in front of the medical hall. Now, she was beginning to reveal her true radiance. From the very beginning, Zhou Yuan knew Su Youwei's talent was extraordinary.

Sooner or later, she would bloom into a dazzling brilliance.

Given Su Youwei's talent, if she had been born into a different background and had access to cultivation earlier, she would likely have already become a goddess admired by countless prodigies.

And he, a mere prince of a small dynasty, would probably not even merit a glance from such people.

Sighing inwardly, Zhou Yuan nodded gently. "It is her good fortune to be recognized by Senior," he said. Indeed, as the old man in grey robes had said, Su Youwei's talent would truly be wasted if she remained in the Great Zhou Dynasty. It would be like a pearl gathering dust.

A phoenix should perch on a phoenix tree, not dead wood.

Zhou Yuan was genuinely happy for Su Youwei that she had gained the recognition of the old man in grey robes.

The old man in grey robes smiled and said, "But she doesn't seem very willing."

Zhou Yuan was surprised and looked at Su Youwei. The girl's gaze flitted away, then her small mouth pouted slightly. "I didn't say I wasn't willing," she murmured.

The old man in grey robes nodded. "She only has one condition..."

He stared at Zhou Yuan and said, "She wants me to take you along as well."

Zhou Yuan gave a wry smile. He knew very well that Su Youwei must have also seen the unfathomable depth of the old man in grey robes. If he could be taken along, it would also be a great opportunity for him.

The old man in grey robes smiled faintly, his gaze sweeping over Zhou Yuan. "You are not an ordinary person either," he said. "As the former possessor of the Sacred Dragon's Fortune, your talent naturally wouldn't be weak."

"However... my path is not suitable for you."

Su Youwei immediately became anxious upon hearing this. "Why?" she asked. "His Highness's talent is not inferior to mine."

The old man in grey robes, whose eyes seemed cloudy, now held a profound light. He gazed at Zhou Yuan and slowly said, "On him, I faintly sense the lingering presence of an extremely powerful aura. Therefore, he likely has his own destined path, and I should not interfere."

Zhou Yuan's heart trembled slightly. Could the powerful lingering aura the old man in grey robes spoke of be from Master Cang Yuan? He hadn't expected that even after a year, this person could still faintly perceive it. His strength was clearly unimaginable.

Su Youwei bit her lip lightly. "If you don't take His Highness, then I won't go either," she stated.

The old man in grey robes laughed, pointing at Su Youwei. "You little girl, you don't know how lucky you are!" he exclaimed. "Do you know who I am? How many geniuses in this world wish to follow me?"

Su Youwei bowed slightly to the old man and said earnestly, "Youwei knows it's my good fortune that Senior values me. However, the reason Senior sees me as I am today is because of His Highness's past help. If it weren't for His Highness, Su Youwei would not be who she is now."

Perhaps, after her grandfather became critically ill and there was no cure, that helpless little girl would have gradually perished in the cold.

The old man in grey robes paused slightly, stroking his beard.

Zhou Yuan sighed softly. He smiled at Su Youwei, placing a hand on her tender shoulder, and his voice was gentle. "Youwei, I know you're grateful for my help back then," he said. "But that's no reason to tie yourself to me. I consider you my best friend, and I hope you can obtain the best cultivation conditions."

Feeling Zhou Yuan's gesture, Su Youwei's face flushed slightly. But upon hearing "best friend," her glistening eyes imperceptibly dimmed a little.

"But, Your Highness... if we part now, it will be for many years." Su Youwei bit her red lip, her eyes welling up.

She had grown accustomed to being by Zhou Yuan's side, feeling his presence, hearing his voice. In her opinion, no matter how splendid her future might be, it likely wouldn't compare to the profound experiences she had shared with him over the past year in the Great Zhou residence.

If they separated this time, she wouldn't even know what year it would be when they met again.

The thought of that scene brought sorrow to Su Youwei, who was usually so strong.

Zhou Yuan smiled and reached out, gently wiping away the teardrops clinging to the girl's long eyelashes. "Don't worry," he said. "Believe me, we will definitely meet again." He paused, then chuckled. "I just worry that you'll become so outstanding that you'll find it embarrassing to have known a prince from such a humble place like me."

Su Youwei laughed through her tears and murmured softly, "Your Highness, no matter how splendid a place is, in my eyes, it won't compare to the Great Zhou residence. No matter how exceptional a prodigy is, in my eyes, they won't compare to you."

The old man in grey robes, who was standing nearby, rolled his eyes at this. "You little girl, you've seen too little of the world!" he scoffed. "This boy isn't as good as you make him out to be."

However, Su Youwei ignored him.

"Your Highness, will you come find me in the future?" Su Youwei gazed at Zhou Yuan, her moist eyes filled with expectation.

"Yes, I will. Definitely," Zhou Yuan said earnestly. In his heart, Su Youwei held a significant place. If the opportunity arose in the future, he would certainly go find her to see how she was doing.

Su Youwei smiled brightly, her expression clear and lovely, with a hint of cheerfulness. She hesitated for a moment, then suddenly gathered her courage, stepped forward, and with trembling hands, embraced Zhou Yuan.

The sudden embrace of warmth and softness momentarily stunned Zhou Yuan. He could feel the sorrow of impending separation in Su Youwei's heart, so he reached out and gently patted her back, offering comfort.

Su Youwei quickly pulled away from Zhou Yuan's embrace, her face flushed crimson, and scurried into the room.

The warmth that had just left his embrace left Zhou Yuan feeling a little lost and wistful. The sadness of parting also filled his heart. Su Youwei was accustomed to following him, but he, too, had grown accustomed to having this beautiful and strong girl by his side.

The old man in grey robes coughed, then shot Zhou Yuan a displeased glance before sighing. "Lad," he said, "regardless, I still have to thank you for helping me persuade this girl." Although he was reluctant to admit it, the old man in grey robes knew that if Zhou Yuan hadn't nodded, this stubborn girl truly wouldn't have gone with him.

Zhou Yuan smiled and clasped his hands towards the old man in grey robes. "I hope Senior will take good care of her in the future," he said.

"You can rest assured about that," the old man in grey robes said, giving Zhou Yuan a sidelong glance. "Not just anyone can simply follow me. I am very selective in choosing my disciples, and since I have chosen her, I will naturally give my all. If I don't take you with me, aren't you disappointed?" he asked.

Zhou Yuan smiled faintly. "Senior already said it earlier: everyone has their own destined path," he replied. "Even if I don't go with Senior, I won't necessarily be ordinary in the future." This was not arrogance. He cultivated the "Ancestral Dragon Scripture" and also practiced the "Primordial Chaos God Grinding Contemplation Method." Although he didn't know the background of the old man in grey robes, he believed that as long as he mastered his own teachings, he would naturally be able to stand proudly in the world.

"Oh, you've got some backbone."

The old man in grey robes smiled, showing a slight appreciation for Zhou Yuan. He mused for a moment and said, "I don't like owing favors. Since you've helped me, I'll help you once."

"I don't have a destined path to offer you, but I do have a piece of advice..."

Zhou Yuan's eyes sharpened upon hearing this, and he said solemnly, "Then this junior is all ears."